Coleus plant named ‘Molten Lava’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Coleus plant named ‘Molten Lava’, characterized by its upright and tall plant habit; and dark purple and dark red bi-colored leaves.

Botanical classification/cultivar designation: Coleus×hybrida cultivarMolten Lava.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present Invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Coleusplant, botanically known as Solenostemon scutellarioides, andhereinafter referred to by the cultivar name Molten Lava.

The new cultivar was discovered by the Inventor in a controlledenvironment in Waynesville, N.C. as a naturally-occurring branchmutation of a the Solenostemon scutellarioides cultivar Eclipse, notpatented. The new Coleus was observed within a population of plants ofthe cultivar Eclipse in June, 2000. This branch mutation was selected onthe basis of its unique leaf coloration.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by terminal cuttings taken inWaynesville, N.C. since June, 2000, has shown that the unique featuresof this new Coleus are stable and reproduced true to type in successivegenerations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the cultivar Molten Lava have not been observed under allpossible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature and light intensitywithout, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘Molten Lava’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘Molten Lava’ as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Upright and tall plant habit.

2. Dark purple and dark red bi-colored leaves.

Plants of the new Coleus are most similar to plants of the parent, thecultivar Eclipse. Plants of the new Coleus differ from plants of theparent selection primarily in foliage color as plants of the cultivarEclipse have red, pink, green and yellow-colored leaves. In addition,plants of the new Coleus are taller than plants of the cultivar Eclipse.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearanceof the new cultivar, showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors ofthe new Coleus.

The photograph at the top of the sheet comprises a side perspective viewof typical plant of ‘Molten Lava’ grown in a container.

The photograph at the bottom of the sheet comprises a close-up view oftypical leaves of ‘Molten Lava’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The cultivar Molten Lava has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature and light intensitywithout, however, any variance in genotype.

The aforementioned photographs, following observations and measurementsdescribe plants grown during the winter and spring in Encinitas, Calif.,in an outdoor nursery and under conditions which approximate commercialproduction cultural and environmental conditions. Plants were about 14weeks from cuttings and were grown in one-gallon containers. During theproduction of the plants, day temperatures averaged 24° C. and nighttemperatures averaged 19° C.

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart, 1995 Edition, except where generalterms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

Botanical classification: Solenostemon scutellarioides cultivar MoltenLava.

Parentage: Naturally-occurring branch mutation of the Solenostemonscutellarioides cultivar Eclipse, not patented.

Propagation:

Type cutting.—Terminal cuttings.

Time to initiate roots.—Summer: About 7 days at 20° C. Winter: About 9days at 20° C.

Time to develop roots.—Summer: About 18 days at 20° C. Winter: About 20days at 20° C.

Root description.—Fine, fibrous, white in color.

Rooting habit.—Freely branching.

Plant description:

Form.—Annual flowering plant; upright and tall. Moderate growth rate.

Plant height.—About 50 cm.

Plant diameter.—About 44 cm.

Branching habit.—Freely branching with potentially two lateral branchesforming at every node.

Lateral branches.—Length: About 47 cm. Diameter: About 1.7 cm. Internodelength: About 4 cm. Shape, in cross-section: Squarish. Texture:Glabrous. Color: 59A.

Foliage description.—Arrangement: Opposite; simple. Length: About 7.5cm. Width: About 4 cm. Shape: Elliptic. Apex: Acute. Base: Attenuate totruncate. Margin: Crenate, scalloped; ruffled. Texture, upper and lowersurfaces: Pubescent; velvety. Venation pattern: Pinnate. Color: Youngfoliage, upper surface: Close to 183A. Young foliage, lower surface:183D. Fully expanded foliage, upper surface: Center, darker than 183A toclose to 187A; towards the margin, 185A. Fully expanded foliage, lowersurface: 185A. Venation, upper and lower surfaces: 185B. Petiole length:About 2.8 mm. Petiole diameter: About 3 mm. Petiole color: 199A.

Flower description: Flower development has not been observed.

Disease/pest resistance: Plants of the new Coleus have not been noted tobe resistant to pathogens or pests common to Coleus.

Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Coleus have been observed totolerate temperatures from 2 to 35° C.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Coleus plant named‘Molten Lava’, as illustrated and described.